Latest data show that the state appears to be making progress at flattening the so-called curve, Murphy said. The rate of new cases is slowing (24% day-over-day on March 30 to about 12% on Monday), which suggests that social distancing efforts are beginning to pay off, the governor said.

Murphy said this is an incentive to "keep doing what we are doing" rather than relax the rules. "Keep social distancing, keep washing your hands, keep staying indoors, keep being smart," he said.

The five counties with the most positive tests are Bergen (6,862), Essex (4,493), Hudson (4,395), Passaic (3,756), Union (3,685), according to the state's Health Department. The five counties with the most deaths are Bergen (200), Essex (186), Hudson (92), Middlesex (87), Union (78).

New Jersey and New York are among the hardest-hit states in the country. New Jersey is likely weeks away from hitting the peak of the outbreak, according to health officials.